Pies N' Thighs.

So, today is Monday.

Booooo.

For whatever reason, I was compelled to try on my skinny fat jeans this morning. What are "skinny fat jeans," you may ask? They are my disturbing gauge for whether I am losing weight...it's more effective, and less demotivating, for me to try on pants that don't fit (I'll get to that) than it is to step on a machine that reduces my efforts to a number. Weird, I know.

Anyway, so I tried them on this morning...and they were SO. FREAKIN'. TIGHT. I could hear my belly pooch eeking out a meek "help meeee!" over the sound of my angrily pulling starchy denim.

I felt awful at first. A year and a half ago, I lost a significant amount of weight (10 pounds is a lot when you're only 5'3"), and I will reluctantly admit that I have been a bit paranoid about gaining it back. I was waiting tables when I lost the weight, which helped of course, and now I sit at a desk all day. Between work and school, I just don't have time for the gym. Or at least that's what I tell my exercise-averse self. 

During the summer, it kind of is what it is. I'm happy to walk anywhere and everywhere, and heavier foods just aren't appealing to me. But now it's winter, and all I want to do is curl up under a throw blanket with a big bowl o' New England clam chowder and french fries (don't judge me). And maybe a slice of this:

My mint chocolate mousse pie I made for Thanksgiving....Yes, it was as delicious as it looks. But, really, it was probably better.

My weight woes got me thinking about winter style though. It's a funny thing- as the fashion world becomes less accepting of the former eating-disorder-skinny norm, winter staples and shapes have become more voluminous. I think maybe we are finally (FINALLY!) being encouraged to enjoy ourselves during the holiday season. The writing's on the wall, isn't it? The slouchy silhouettes, the tunic-style sweaters, that whole big-top-skinny-jeans combination that's been so popular the last few years...at long last, women are allowed to indulge, and can be fashionable while doing it.
I felt a lot better, thinking about this...and my short-lived panic attack gave way to far more fun thoughts- oohhhh, who's making the best cozy baggy sweaters right now??!!
As always, J.Crew knows what's up. If the product has the word "boyfriend," in its title, it means 3 things- 1) it's slouchy, 2) it's cozy, and 3) I WANT IT.

Boyfriend V-Neck Sweater

You can also go the sweatshirt route; sweats are super trendy this season, and a lot of designers (Alexander Wang included (!!!)) are styling them up. For those of us who can't afford Alexander's fantastic creations, however (ahem.), J.Crew does it again-

Slouchy Sweatshirt

Madewell does some great stuff too, of course:

Madewell Sweater

And...I wouldn't be me if I didn't recommend Gap. Seriously, dudettes- these guys have EVERYTHING, from the big knits, to the colored denim, to the brightly printed scarves that you MUST (no, really, I demand it) layer on top.

Gap's Perfect Layering

Hey there, cozy gal- you're missing this infinity scarf:

SCARF!

It was a little too warm for sweaters today, so I pulled the old baggy tank trick.

Literally everywhere you look, there are these echoes of comfort...and not only are they holiday weight gain options, they are actually the trend for once. So go ahead, eat that side of mac and cheese, and don't you dare waste the time you could be shopping on guilt. Unless it's http://www.gilt.com . Then it's ok.

Oh, P.S. for all you "but I caaaaan't..." -ers out there- if you do insist on indulging as healthily as possible this season...and, dare I say it, I guess that's not a bad idea- here's a great go-to guide from one of my favorites:

Tips for Indulging Healthily...

How do you guys dress and eat for the holidays?